Growing up with a famous last name is a double-edged sword. When that name is Hemingway, it’s more like a heavy, ornate broadsword that you’re forced to carry through a crowded room. Most people look at the grandchildren of Ernest Hemingway and see a glamorous line of succession—models, actors, and writers living off the fumes of a Nobel Prize.
But honestly? That’s not the whole story.
The reality is a lot messier. It's a mix of incredible creative success and a genetic shadow that’s been hovering over the family for nearly a century. We’re talking about a lineage that has produced some of the most recognizable faces in fashion and film, yet has also struggled with the "Hemingway curse"—a term the family itself has complicated feelings about.
The Three Sisters: Fame, Tragedy, and the Spotlight
If you look at the most famous branch of the tree, you’ll find the daughters of Jack Hemingway (Ernest’s eldest son). This is where the public’s obsession usually starts.
Margaux Hemingway: The Supermodel Era
Margaux was basically the "It Girl" before that was even a formal job title. She was 6 feet tall, stunning, and in 1975, she signed a $1 million contract with Fabergé to be the face of "Babe" perfume. That was the first million-dollar contract ever for a model.
She lived fast. She was a regular at Studio 54. But behind the Vogue covers, things were falling apart. Margaux struggled with depression, alcoholism, and bulimia. In a tragic echo of her grandfather’s own death, she took her own life in 1996. It happened just one day before the 35th anniversary of Ernest’s suicide.
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Mariel Hemingway: The Advocate
Then there’s Mariel. You probably know her from Woody Allen’s Manhattan—a role that earned her an Oscar nomination when she was still a teenager.
Mariel has spent much of her adult life being the "sane one" in a family defined by chaos. She’s become a massive advocate for mental health and holistic living. If you’ve seen the documentary Running from Crazy, you’ve seen her raw, unfiltered look at the family’s history of suicide and mental illness. She didn't just survive the name; she’s trying to rewrite what it means to be a Hemingway in the 21st century.
Joan "Muffet" Hemingway
The eldest sister, Joan, has stayed further from the limelight than her sisters. She’s an artist and co-authored a cookbook (The Picnic Gourmet), but she also faced her own battles with mental health. It’s a recurring theme that keeps popping up: the talent is immense, but so is the weight of the brain chemistry.
The Writers and Historians: Carrying the Pen
Not every grandchild went to Hollywood. Some actually took up the family business—writing—which, let’s be real, has to be the most intimidating career choice possible when your grandpa is "Papa."
John Patrick Hemingway, the son of Gregory (Ernest’s youngest), is a fascinating example. His memoir, Strange Tribe, is a must-read if you want to understand the family’s complexity. He writes about the parallels between his father, Gregory—who struggled with gender identity and eventually lived as Gloria—and Ernest’s own hidden feminine side.
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It’s a nuanced take. John doesn't just parrot the "macho man" myth. He looks at the androgyny and the sensitivity that the public often misses.
Then you have Seán Hemingway. He’s a curator at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. He’s the guy responsible for editing the "Hemingway Library" editions of Ernest’s books. If you’ve read the restored edition of A Moveable Feast or A Farewell to Arms with all the alternate endings, you have Seán to thank. He’s essentially the family’s literary custodian.
The Next Generation: Dree and Langley Fox
The "Hemingway" brand didn't stop with the grandchildren. Mariel’s daughters, Dree Hemingway and Langley Fox, have carved out very specific niches for themselves.
- Dree Hemingway: She’s a successful actress and model (Starlet is probably her best film work). She’s worked with everyone from Chanel to Givenchy. She once famously said she doesn't use the name Hemingway to get jobs, but let's be honest—it doesn't hurt.
- Langley Fox: She’s the rebel of the group. An artist and illustrator, her work is dark, intricate, and totally unique. She often uses her middle names (Fox Hemingway) and has a style that feels miles away from the sun-drenched hunting trips of her great-grandfather.
Why the "Hemingway Curse" is a Misnomer
People love the idea of a "curse." It’s dramatic. It makes for good headlines. But when you talk to the grandchildren of Ernest Hemingway, they tend to point toward genetics and untreated trauma rather than some mystical hex.
Ernest’s father, Clarence, killed himself. Ernest did the same. So did his sister Ursula, his brother Leicester, and his granddaughter Margaux. That’s five people across three generations.
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In 2026, we have words for this: bipolar disorder, clinical depression, and addiction. The difference is that Mariel and her daughters are talking about it openly. They are doing the "work" (therapy, meditation, lifestyle changes) that Ernest and his sons never really had the tools to do.
What Really Happened With the Inheritance?
There’s a misconception that the grandchildren are all sitting on piles of "Old Man and the Sea" money. While the estate is valuable, the family has had its fair share of legal squabbles over the years.
Most of the grandchildren have had to work.
Hard.
Whether it’s Edward Hemingway writing children’s books or Patrick Hemingway Adams (the great-grandson) managing the family’s brand partnerships, they aren't just trust-fund kids. They are active participants in managing a legacy that is both a gift and a massive responsibility.
Practical Insights: Navigating Your Own Family Legacy
If there’s anything we can learn from the Hemingway clan, it’s that you can’t run from your history, but you don't have to be defined by its worst parts.
- Acknowledge the Patterns: Whether it’s a history of "toughing it out" or a family leaning toward certain addictions, naming the problem is the first step to breaking it.
- Find Your Own Medium: You don't have to do exactly what your ancestors did. If they were writers, you can be an artist. If they were athletes, you can be a coder. The "talent" often transfers, even if the "task" doesn't.
- Prioritize Mental Health: This is the big lesson from Mariel Hemingway. The "macho" approach to mental health doesn't work. It never has. Talking about it is a sign of strength, not a betrayal of the family name.
The grandchildren of Ernest Hemingway are a living experiment in how to handle fame, genius, and trauma all at once. They’ve shown us that while you can inherit a name, you have to build your own life.
If you’re interested in exploring the family’s history further, start with Mariel Hemingway’s memoir Out Came the Sun or John Hemingway’s Strange Tribe. They offer a far more accurate picture than any tabloid ever could. For a more visual look, check out Langley Fox's latest art exhibitions, which often touch on these themes of identity and heritage.